NCHS Prelim 2025 SS QP+MS

Name: Register Number: Class: PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2025 SECONDARY FOUR HUMANITIES (SOCIAL STUDIES) 2260/01 2261/01 2262/01 2263/01 Paper 1 21 August 2025, Thursday 1 hour 45 minutes Additional Material: Writing paper READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your name, class and index number on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid. Section A Answer all questions. Section B Answer both questions on a fresh sheet of paper. At the end of the examination, fasten all your work for Sections A and B separately. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. The total marks for this paper is 50. This paper consists of 7 printed pages including the cover page. For Marker’s Use

2 SECTION A (Source-Based Case Study) Answer all questions. Being Part of a Globalised World Study the Background Information and the sources carefully and then answer all the questions. You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources you are told to use. In answering the questions, you should use your knowledge of the issue to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1 Study Source A. What is the message of the cartoonist? Explain your answer using details from the source. [5] 2 Study Sources B and C. How far would the Singaporean jobseeker agree with the Prime Minister about skills upgrading? Explain your answer. [7] 3 Study Source D. Does this source prove that the global economy improves individuals’ job prospects? Explain your answer. [6] 4 Study Sources E and F. Having read Source E, are you surprised by Source F? Explain your answer. [7] 5 ‘The global economy brings positive effects.’ Using the sources in this case study, explain how far you would agree with this statement. [10]

3 What are the implications of the global economy on individuals? BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions. In today’s global and digitally connected economy, people and economic activities in different parts of the world are increasingly integrated. Businesses and individuals can access different markets, networks and resources worldwide, bringing in significan t opportunities for profit or in employment. In this climate, countries also seek to strengthen infrastructure, embed new technologies and upskill their workforce to remain economically competitive and continually attract international trade (including tou rism) and investments. However, the operations of multinational corporations, heightened competition, and evolving job requirements in industries worldwide can be disruptive, requiring individuals to navigate rapid changes in technology and skill requireme nts. Hence, some individuals find themselves challenged, while others can adapt and thrive. Study the following sources to find out the implications of globalisation on individuals. Source A: A cartoon by an Italian artist, titled ‘Hard times for Santa’, 2024. It depicts Santa Claus conversing with Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, a multinational corporation involved in e-commerce.

4 Source B: A Singaporean jobseeker’s post on Reddit, an online forum, April 2025. I’m in my late 30s and, like many Singaporeans, I bought into the idea that upskilling would open new doors. I spent the past few years taking up different certifications in data analytics and technology-related skills that supposedly make you employable in this global economy. I’ve sent out hundreds of resumes in the past 8 months. What did I get in return? Rejection or absolute silence. Everyone says, “never too old to learn” and “mid-career switches are possible if you work hard.” The reality is, once yo u hit your late 30s or 40s, employers look at you differently. You’re compared against foreign or younger applicants who are cheaper and more “teachable”. The Singapore government keeps pushing courses, but what we really need is for employers to give mature workers a fair chance, not just lip service. Source C: From Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s speech at the 10th anniversary of SkillsFuture, May 2025. The event was attended by about 300 business and industry partners as well as education and training providers. About one -fifth of our workforce participates in SkillsFuture -supported training annually. They secure better jobs with higher pay, adapting to changing job roles. Take Ms Kalai Selvi as an example. At 41, she successfully switched from 15 years as a presc hool teacher to a Desktop Support Engineer after numerous courses in IT. Now, she is working towards a diploma in cloud administration! As a government, we commit to working with industry partners to identify courses that give Singaporeans maximum benefits in this global and digital era, like AI competency or industry - specific skills. That is why we recently introduced the SkillsFuture Lev el-Up Programme, with $4,000 credits for those aged 40 and above and a monthly allowance for those pursuing full-time courses. I know employers may worry about investing in their workers, but we need your support to achieve business transformation and productivity. Source D: From a statement by the President of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), May 2025. WTTC is a non -governmental organisation representing the interests of companies in the global travel and tourism sector. The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) travel and tourism sector is projected to create 26,400 additional jobs this year to reach 925,000 jobs in 2025. By 2035, one million people in the UAE are expected to be working in tourism and travel. Growth is propelled by UAE’s focus on building smart cities, use of biometric technology at airports, easy visa procedures and strong air connectivity. UAE keeps reinventing itself! From high -quality entertainment, artistic, culture and sport activities, to the upcoming Disneyl and Abu Dhabi, little wonder that there are strong visitor numbers from diverse markets like India, Russia and the UK. Moreover, in a world that can feel a bit troubled, tourism and travel bring cultural connectivity.

5 Source E: From an article by an American business news website, June 2024. To the casual observer, TikTok is an app known for dance routines and comedy skits. But it’s also become a popular destination for young jobseekers. Click on the hashtags #jobsearch, #careertok and you will find endless tips and tricks about work from worl dwide, geared towards Gen Z and younger millennials. According to a survey of US adults aged 18 to 34, 41% have made career - related decisions based on TikTok advice, 15% received a job offer via the app, and nearly 80% have used it to network. Companies li ke Chipotle and Target advertised open roles on the app, inviting job seekers to create video resumes and hiring those with standout clips. 24 -year-old Grace Dunlavy also shared that TikTok allowed her to find a mentor in the same industr